After 1st-round loss in NHL playoffs, Ovechkin to join Russia at hockey world championships

It will be Ovechkin's ninth appearance in the tournament. He helped Russia win the gold medal last year and in 2008. He has 26 goals and 18 assists in 55 games.

The news that he'll play for Russia comes Tuesday, a day after Ovechkin's Capitals were eliminated in the first round of the NHL playoffs with a 5-0 loss to the New York Rangers in Game 7 of their best-of-seven series.

After leading the league with 32 goals in the regular season, Ovechkin only scored once in the playoffs.